Barrel sleeve assembly

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a barrel sleeve assembly for a rifle. The barrel sleeve assembly includes a rifle barrel and a sleeve. The rifle barrel has a portion that has been turned down from standard sizes. The sleeve is fitted over the turned down portion of the rifle barrel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/933,017 filed Jan. 29, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a barrel sleeve assembly, and more particularly a barrel sleeve assembly for a standard rifle.

Standard rifle barrels are known in the art. Not only are these barrels heavy, but they can become hot. It is difficult to lighten and cool a barrel while maintaining rigidity for accuracy. Therefore, a need exists in the art for a device that addresses these needs.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a barrel sleeve assembly that is lighter.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a barrel sleeve assembly that acts as a heat sink.

A still further objective of the present invention is to provide a barrel sleeve assembly that maintains rigidity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a exploded view of a barrel sleeve assembly; and

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the end of a barrel sleeve assembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a barrel sleeve assembly for a rifle. The barrel sleeve assembly includes a rifle barrel and a sleeve. The rifle barrel has a portion that has been turned down from standard sizes. The sleeve is fitted over the turned down portion of the rifle barrel.

The sleeve can be made of a light weight metal or metal with high heat conductivity, or both. The sleeve is fitted over the rifle barrel with a low tolerance between the sleeve's inner diameter and the rifle barrel's outer diameter.

In some embodiments the rifle barrel has a threaded portion that engages a threaded inner surface of the sleeve. In other arrangements, the rifle barrel is coated with a bonding agent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the Figures, a barrel sleeve assembly 10 includes a rifle 12 having a rifle barrel 14 where the outside diameter 16 of the rifle barrel 14 has been turned down to form a turned down portion 18. In one example, the outside diameter 16 is turned down to between 0.500 inches to 0.750 inches from standard dimensions. At least one end 20 of the rifle barrel 14 is threaded to form a threaded portion 22. Alternatively, the entire length of the rifle barrel 14 or any portion thereof is threaded. In another embodiment, no portion of the rifle barrel 14 is threaded.

Attached to the rifle barrel 14 is a sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 is preferably made of aluminum or another metal that with high heat conductivity and is cut to match the length of turned down portion 18 of the rifle barrel 14. In alternative embodiments the sleeve 24 is shorter or longer than the turned down portion 18 of the rifle barrel 14. The sleeve 24 preferably has an inner diameter 26 that is close in tolerance, between 0.000 inches-0.010 inches, with the outer diameter 16 of turned down portion 18 the rifle barrel 12. The sleeve 24 is attached to the rifle barrel 12 in any manner and preferably is attached using a bonding agent 28. The bonding agent 28 is of any type and can be an anaerobic type that will seal in an oxygen-free environment. In one embodiment, the bonding agent 28 is of high strength that is capable of taking heat of 400° F. or greater. In other embodiments the bonding agent 28 has a high heat transfer. Examples of possible bonding agents 28 include a bearing retainer LOC and a two part plastic epoxy.

To assemble, the outside diameter 18 of the rifle barrel 14 is turned down from standard dimensions to form the turned down portion 18. A sleeve 24 is then cut to the correct length and diameter to ensure proper application and cured. At least one end 20 of the rifle barrel 14 is threaded to form a threaded portion 22. Alternatively, the threaded portion 22 can cover the entire length of the rifle barrel 12. An internal surface 30 of the sleeve 24 is threaded so that the rifle barrel 14 and sleeve 24 matingly engage.

Next the rifle barrel 14 is coated in a bonding agent 28 and the sleeve 24 is then fitted over the rifle barrel 14. Finally, the assembly 10 is placed under tension.

In one arrangement, when the sleeve 24 is fitted over the rifle barrel 14, an outer surface 32 of the sleeve 24 is flush with the outside diameter 16 of the rifle barrel 14. In alternative arrangements, the outer surface 32 of the sleeve 24 is lower or higher than the outside diameter 16 of the rifle barrel 16.

Therefore, a barrel sleeve assembly 10 has been provided that is lighter, acts as a heat sink, maintains rigidity, and improves upon the art.

From the above discussion and accompanying figures and claims it will be appreciated that the barrel sleeve assembly 10 offers many advantages over the prior art. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other modifications could be made without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention and fall within the scope of the claims and are intended to be covered thereby. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A barrel sleeve assembly comprising: a rifle barrel having a turned down portion; a sleeve fitted over the turned down portion of the rifle barrel.
 2. The barrel sleeve assembly of claim 1 further comprising a bonding agent between the sleeve and the turned down portion of the rifle barrel.
 3. The barrel sleeve assembly of claim 1 further comprising the rifle barrel having a threaded portion that matingly engages an inner surface of the sleeve.
 4. The barrel sleeve assembly of claim 1 wherein the turned down portion is turned down to between 0.500 inches to 0.750 inches from standard dimensions.
 5. The barrel sleeve assembly of claim 1 wherein an inner diameter of the sleeve is between 0.000 inches and 0.010 inches of tolerance of an outer diameter of the turned down portion of the rifle barrel.
 6. A method for making a barrel sleeve assembly comprising the steps of: turning down a portion of a rifle barrel; cutting a sleeve; coating the rifle barrel with a bonding agent; and fitting the sleeve over the rifle barrel.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of placing the assembly under tension.
 8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of threading a portion of the rifle barrel and the sleeve such that the threaded portions matingly engage one another.
 9. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of threading the entire length of the rifle barrel.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the rifle barrel is turned down between 0.500 inches to 0.750 inches from standard dimensions.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein an inner diameter of the sleeve is between 0.000 inches and 0.010 inches of tolerance of an outer diameter of the turned down portion of the rifle barrel when the sleeve is fitted over the rifle barrel. 